Mobile terminal, and a control method for a mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

An object is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method for a mobile terminal that make it possible to enjoy a game even in a situation in which only one hand can be used. A mobile terminal according to the present invention is a mobile terminal used in a game. The mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a detection unit configured to detect an orientation of the mobile terminal and a control unit configured to change over a manipulation mode of a game depending upon the orientation of the mobile terminal detected by the detection unit.

This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/894,387 filedNov. 27, 2015, which is a National Phase of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2014/070824 filed Aug. 7, 2014. The disclosure of the priorapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a control method formobile terminal, and a program that are used for a game.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, mobile terminals such as smart phones and tablets havebeen spread. In these mobile terminals, it is possible to download gamesor the like. Furthermore, various kinds of mobile game terminals havebeen spread. Therefore, persons enjoying games not only indoors but alsoin a visiting place are increasing.

However, the conventional mobile terminal is premised on manipulationwith both hands. For example, in a state in which the mobile terminal isoriented laterally, a cross key is manipulated with a left hand and adepression button is manipulated with a right hand. In a case where onehand is full in a train, for example, to have a bag or hold on to astrap, it is impossible to enjoy a game in some cases.

PRIOR ART REFERENCES Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: JP 2012-083809 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made to cope with the above-describedcircumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal, a control method for mobile terminal, and a program making itpossible to enjoy a game even in a situation in which one hand cannot beused.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the presentinvention, a mobile terminal is used in a game, and the mobile terminalincludes a detection unit configured to detect an orientation of themobile terminal, and a control unit configured to change over amanipulation mode of the game depending upon the orientation of themobile terminal detected by the detection unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a detection unit configured todetect an orientation of a mobile terminal and a control unit configuredto change over a manipulation mode of a game depending upon theorientation of the mobile terminal detected by the detection unit, asdescribed heretofore. Even in a situation in which only one hand can beused, therefore, it is possible to enjoy a game, resulting in improvedconvenience to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a mobile terminal according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the mobile terminalaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a display example (longitudinalorientation) of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a display example (lateralorientation) of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an operation of the mobileterminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an operation of a mobileterminal according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a mobile terminal 100 according to anembodiment. The mobile terminal 100 is a mobile terminal, such as, forexample, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a game terminal. In FIG. 1, asmartphone is illustrated as the mobile terminal 100 according to theembodiment. Hereafter, the mobile terminal 100 according to theembodiment will be described by taking the smartphone as an example.However, the present invention can be applied to mobile terminals otherthan the smartphone.

In the mobile terminal 100, a display device 120 and a manipulationbutton 130 are provided in a casing 110 taking a longitudinally longrectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 1. The casing 110 is formed ofa material such as resin or metal. The display device 120 takes alongitudinally long rectangular shape. The display device 120 is theso-called touch panel obtained by combining a display device such as aliquid crystal panel with a location input device such as a touch pad.The display device 120 takes a longitudinally long rectangular shape.Icons and so forth required to manipulate the mobile terminal 100 aredisplayed on the display device 120. A user can manipulate the mobileterminal 100 by touching the display device 120. The manipulation button130 accepts a manipulation input of the user such as ON/OFF of a powersupply.

FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 100.Configurations required to function as a smartphone, such as an antenna101, a transmission/reception unit 102, a control unit 103, a storageunit 104, a detection unit 105, a speaker 106, a microphone 107, animage pickup unit 108, and a power supply 109 are accommodated in thecasing 110 in the mobile terminal 100.

The transmission/reception unit 102 inverse-codes a signal (hereafterreferred to as data) received by the antenna 101, as occasion demandsand then outputs a result to the control unit 103. Furthermore, thetransmission/reception unit 102 encodes data input from the control unit103, as occasion demands and then transmits a result via the antenna101.

The control unit 103 is a processor such as a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit). The control unit 103 controls the entire mobile terminal 100 inresponse to an instruction signal input from the manipulation button 130and the display device 120. Furthermore, the control unit 103 storesdata received by the transmission/reception unit 102 via the antenna101, into the storage unit 104. In addition, in a case where datareceived by the transmission/reception unit 102 via the antenna 101 isvoice data, the control unit 103 outputs the voice to the speaker 106.Changeover of the manipulation mode of the mobile terminal 100 conductedby the control unit 103 will be described later.

The storage unit 104 is a rewritable storage device, such as, forexample, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Thestorage unit 104 executes data storage or data reading in response to aninstruction from the control unit 103. Furthermore, a program requiredfor operation of the mobile terminal 100 and preinstalled or downloadedgame programs are stored in the storage unit 104. Furthermore,manipulation modes (first and second manipulation modes) of the mobileterminal 100 are stored in the storage unit 104.

(First Manipulation Mode)

The first manipulation mode is a mode for causing a game to bemanipulated automatically or semi-automatically (hereafter automaticallyand semi-automatically is referred to collectively as “automatically”).The first manipulation mode is a mode used in a case where one hand isfull in a train, for example, to have a bag or hold on to a strap. In acase where the mobile terminal 100 is longitudinally oriented, themobile terminal 100 is set to the first manipulation mode. FIG. 3A is adiagram illustrating a display example in the first mode, i.e., in acase where the mobile terminal 100 is longitudinally oriented. Forreference, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction areillustrated in FIG. 3A.

In the first manipulation mode, the user can specify a location on thedisplay device 120 by touching (tapping) the display device 120 and playa game by conducting a manipulation of flicking the display device 120.For example, in a case where an RPG (Role Playing Game) is played, afirst character in the game moves as far as a location specified by theuser, and performs an action automatically depending upon a situation.Specifically, in a case where there is a second character in thelocation specified by the user, the first character starts conversationor a battle with the second character automatically. Even after thebattle is started, the battle is continued automatically. In addition,in a case where there is an item (including a hidden item) in thespecified location, the item is acquired automatically. Furthermore, ina case where the display device 120 is flicked, a viewpoint of a game(orientation of a camera in a virtual space) is changed.

(Second Manipulation Mode)

A second manipulation mode is a mode for causing a game to bemanipulated manually. The second manipulation mode is a mode used in acase where both hands can be used. In a case where the mobile terminal100 is laterally oriented, the mobile terminal 100 is set to the secondmanipulation mode. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a display examplein the second mode, i.e., in a case where the mobile terminal 100 islaterally oriented. For reference, the vertical direction and thehorizontal direction are illustrated in FIG. 3B.

In the second manipulation mode, the user can manipulate a manipulationkey displayed on the display device 120 with both hands and play a game.For example, in a case where an RPG is played, the user can move acharacter in the game by operating the cross key or the like with a lefthand, and can cause the character to execute an action depending upon aviewpoint of the game (orientation of a camera in a virtual space) and asituation with a right hand. For example, in a case where an enemycharacter is displayed, the user moves the character to a location ofthe enemy character with the left hand, and conducts manipulation suchas conversation or start of a battle while changing a viewpoint of thegame with the right hand.

The detection unit 105 is, for example, an acceleration sensor or agyroscope. The detection unit 105 measures to what a degree the mobileterminal 100 is inclined from the vertical direction or the horizontaldirection, on the basis of a displacement of a physical quantity (anacceleration or an angular velocity) at the time when the mobileterminal 100 moves. The detection unit 105 detects the orientation ofthe mobile terminal 100 on the basis of the measured inclination andoutputs the orientation to the control unit 103. It is also possiblethat the detection unit 105 measures only the inclination and thecontrol unit 103 detects the orientation of the mobile terminal 100 onthe basis of the inclination measured by the detection unit 105.

The speaker 106 converts an input signal to a voice and outputs thevoice. The microphone 107 converts input sound (including a voice) to anelectric signal and outputs the electric signal.

The image pickup unit 108 is a solid state image sensor such as, forexample, a COMS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensoror a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The image pickup unit 108converts incident light to an electric signal and outputs the electricsignal.

The power supply 109 supplies power to electronic parts housed in thecasing 110 (such as, for example, the transmission/reception unit 102,the control unit 103, the storage unit 104, the detection unit 105, thespeaker 106, the microphone 107, and the image pickup unit 108).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram illustrating operation of the mobileterminal 100. Hereafter, operation of the mobile terminal 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The detection unit 105 detects whether the mobile terminal 100 islongitudinally oriented or laterally oriented on the basis of aninclination of the mobile terminal 100 (step S101). The control unit 103changes over between the first manipulation mode and the secondmanipulation mode depending upon the orientation of the mobile terminal100 detected by the detection unit 105 (step S102).

Specifically, in a case where the detected orientation of the mobileterminal 100 is longitudinal orientation (the state illustrated in FIG.3A), the control unit 103 sets the manipulation mode of the mobileterminal 100 to the first manipulation mode. In a case where thedetected orientation of the mobile terminal 100 is lateral orientation(the state illustrated in FIG. 3B), the control unit 103 sets themanipulation mode of the mobile terminal 100 to the second manipulationmode.

Then, the control unit 103 determines whether the operation of themobile terminal 100 has finished (step S103). Unless the operation ofthe mobile terminal 100 has finished (No in step S103), the control unit103 returns to the operation in step S101. In a case where the operationof the mobile terminal 100 has finished (Yes in step S103), the controlunit 103 finishes the operation.

As described heretofore, the mobile terminal 100 according to thepresent embodiment detects the orientation of the mobile terminal 100.In the case where the detected orientation of the mobile terminal 100 islongitudinal orientation, the mobile terminal 100 changes over the modeto the first manipulation mode in which the game is caused tomanipulated automatically or semi-automatically. In the case where thedetected orientation of the mobile terminal 100 is lateral orientation,the mobile terminal 100 changes over the mode to the second manipulationmode in which the game is caused to be manipulated manually. Even in asituation in which one hand cannot be used, therefore, it is possible toenjoy a game, resulting in improved convenience to the user.

Different Embodiment

The mobile terminal 100 described in the above-described embodiment mayhave a configuration in which a manipulation button is provided to makethe function of the detection unit 105 effective. This manipulationbutton may be provided on the casing 110 in the mobile terminal 100, ormay be displayed on the display device 120.

In the different embodiment, the control unit 103 conducts changeoverbetween the first manipulation mode and the second manipulation modeonly in a case where the orientation of the mobile terminal 100 ischanged while pushing the above-described manipulation button, i.e., ina state in which manipulation that makes the function of the detectionunit 105 effective is accepted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating operation of the mobileterminal 100 according to the different embodiment. Hereafter, operationof the mobile terminal 100 according to the different embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2, FIGS. 3A and 3B, and FIG. 5.

The detection unit 105 detects whether the mobile terminal 100 islongitudinally oriented or laterally oriented on the basis ofinclination of the mobile terminal 100 (step S201). Then, the controlunit 103 determines whether a change of the orientation of the mobileterminal 100 is detected in a state in which the manipulation that makesthe function of the detection unit 105 is accepted (step S202).

In a case of a state in which the manipulation that makes the functionof the detection unit 105 effective is accepted (Yes in step S202), thecontrol unit 103 conducts changeover between the first manipulation modeand the second manipulation mode depending upon the orientation of themobile terminal 100 detected by the detection unit 105 (step S203). In acase of a state in which the manipulation that makes the function of thedetection unit 105 effective is not accepted (No in step S202), thecontrol unit 103 returns to the operation in step S201 withoutconducting changeover between the first manipulation mode and the secondmanipulation mode.

Then, the control unit 103 determines whether the operation of themobile terminal 100 has finished (step S204). Unless the operation ofthe mobile terminal 100 has finished (No in step S204), the control unit103 returns to the operation in step S201. In a case where the operationof the mobile terminal 100 has finished (Yes in step S204), the controlunit 103 finishes the operation.

As described heretofore, the different embodiment has a configuration inwhich a manipulation button that makes the function of the detectionunit 105 effective is provided. Therefore, the manipulation mode of themobile terminal 100 can be changed over only in a case where changeoveris needed. For example, when the user enjoys a game while lying, themobile terminal 100 might become longitudinally oriented althoughmanipulation with both hands is possible. In this case, it is possibleto prevent the manipulation mode of the mobile terminal 100 from beingchanged over against the user's will. As a result, convenience to theuser is further improved.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 Mobile terminal-   101 Antenna-   102 Transmission/reception unit-   103 Control unit-   104 Storage unit-   105 Detection unit-   106 Speaker-   107 Microphone-   108 Image pickup unit-   109 Power supply

1. A mobile terminal comprising: a casing with longitudinally longrectangular shape; a display unit provided on the casing, the displayunit displaying object required to manipulate the mobile terminal; adetection unit configured to detect an orientation of the mobileterminal; and a control unit configured to change over a manipulationmode between a first manipulation mode for longitudinal orientation anda second manipulation for lateral orientation, wherein the display unitdisplays a manipulation button which is provided to accept manipulationfor making the function of the detection unit effective, and wherein thecontrol unit conducts changeover between the first manipulation mode andthe second manipulation mode in a case where the change of theorientation of the mobile terminal is detected while the manipulationfor making the function of the detection unit effective being accepted.2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the manipulationfor making the function of the detection unit effective is pushing themanipulation button, and wherein the control unit conducts changeoverbetween the first manipulation mode and the second manipulation mode ina case where the change of the orientation of the mobile terminal isdetected while the manipulation button being pushed.
 3. A control methodfor a mobile terminal comprising: a step of displaying a manipulationbutton which is provided to accept manipulation for making the functionof detecting an orientation of the mobile terminal effective; and a stepof detecting an orientation of the mobile terminal; wherein thechangeover between the first manipulation mode and the secondmanipulation mode is conducted in a case where the change of theorientation of the mobile terminal is detected while the manipulationfor making the function of the detection unit effective being accepted.4. The control method for the mobile terminal according to claim 3,wherein the manipulation for making the function of the detection uniteffective is pushing the manipulation button, and wherein the changeoverbetween the first manipulation mode and the second manipulation mode isconducted in a case where the change of the orientation of the mobileterminal is detected while the manipulation button being pushed.